[Food intake and anthropometric evaluation of an aborigine mission in the province of Salta, Argentina].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the food intake of families at the "El Chañar" aboriginal mission and make an anthropometric evaluation of the children between 6 and 14.


METHODS
This crossover and descriptive study covered two units of analysis.


METHODS
It was carried out at the "El Chañar" aboriginal community.


METHODS
All the mission families and all children between 6 and 14.


METHODS
A) A food questionnaire was administered to all the families at the mission by the method of remembering the 24 hours of the day prior to the study. B) For the anthropometric study, the following were determined: weight, size (stature) and brachial perimeter, triceps cutaneous fold and brachial muscular circumference.


RESULTS
Foods taken were expressed in terms of nutrients, and the results expressed as a percentage of requirements. In 1994 the nutrient most in deficit was calcium, in that 100% of the families had less than 10% of what was required. The findings showed deficiencies in food intake and growth levels below the International Reference Norms.


CONCLUSIONS
Wild foods are not an essential component of the aborigines' habitual diet. Their consumption have declined over time under the influence of 'criollo' (creole) food.
Couceiro de Cadena
M
M
Universidad Nacional de Salta, República Argentina.
Valdiviezo de Rodríguez
M S
MS
Zimmer Sarmiento
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Ingesta alimentaria y evaluación antropométrica de una misión aborigen de la provincia de Salta. República Argentina.